The closure of third-sector organisations like Environmental Protection UK under financial pressure will hit local environmental quality and community engagement, the threatened organisation's Environment 2011 conference heard.
Environment minister Lord Taylor, standing in for Caroline Spelman, offered support to EPUK which is due to close shortly unless some kind of volunteer-run body can be sustained.
But EPUK chief executive James Grugeon said the Government's environmental deregulation agenda could reduce environmental quality.
"This Government's focus on deficit reduction and economic growth - seemingly at any cost - is of great concern," he said.
"Policy, strategy and investment decisions that put deficit reduction and economic growth in a short-term context rather than within the context of improving our well-being and respecting and protecting our environment seem to be winning the battle right now."
He said he had spoken to many third-sector organisations which are struggling, despite their critical importance in engaging communities and linking action to protect local environments.
Environment Agency chairman Lord Smith paid tribute to EPUK's work and said it had been at the forefront of environmental quality work for over a century.
"We owe EPUK a big debt of gratitude and, if it were to happen, it would be very sad to lose them," he said.
EPUK vice-president Lord Whitty said he was dismayed by the charity's difficulties and that it was vital for it to survive through volunteer support.
